“Open Estonia Foundation (AEF) supports The Festival of Opinion Culture because this festival is important for evolving opinion culture. The rock of words is a enjoyable familial event with a friendly and tractable atmosphere. Its aura is like a folk festival – at its best meaning,” believes the head of Open Estonia Foundation Mall Hellam.

“We wish that the discussions and debates among people could be copius and thoroguh. In our society there should be more direct and immediate debating and exchange of opinions not anonymous and non-constructive discussions. Good disputation is where everything is discussed with a open heart relying on facts and knowledge and people are being broad-mined in reference to different approaches, postures, and ideas,” said Hellam.

“This year I’m participating in the panel of one discussion. Also I’m the moderator of one discussion. I’m looking forward to the same kind of good spiritual and intellectual charge that I got last year. I’m sure that every person felt the same way as I did. Although the opinions were radically different.”

Hellam’s recommendation for the visitors of the festival is kind of practical: “All of the discussions that has been analysed by the organizers before are certainly interesting, but I still advise for people to delve into everything that is on the table. Choose the topics that are near to your heart and don’t only listen but try to speak up as well.”